Ecuador to offer oil blocks under new bidding terms in January
Carlos Perez, Ecuador’s minister of hydrocarbons, discussed the country’s key objectives and goals for increasing investments in its energy sector Oct. 6 at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. The event was hosted by the Baker Institute’s Latin America Initiative and Center for Energy Studies.Reuters (This story also appeared in more than 10 other media outlets.)http://reut.rs/2yNoSknEcuador set up new bidding terms to offer new oil blocks in JanuaryPetroleum Worldhttp://bit.ly/2gnf4a0

Newly installed president of Sarah Lawrence College wants it to ‘stand for significance’
Alumna Cristle Collins Judd ’82 was installed as the new president of Sarah Lawrence College Oct. 6.LoHud.comhttp://lohud.us/2fYJmCO

The most badass buildings in America you’ve probably never heard of
James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace on the Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion on the Rice campus is featured.Thrillesthttp://bit.ly/2z9rUR4

US halts military exercises over Qatar crisis
The U.S. military has halted some exercises with its Gulf allies over the continuing diplomatic crisis involving Qatar in a bid to use American influence to end the four-month-long dispute. Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, a fellow for the Middle East at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.The National (A similar article appeared in the Kuwait Times and The Truth 24.)http://bit.ly/2kqSAJuQatar spat spurs US military to cease some joint war gamesSputnik Newshttp://bit.ly/2fVNYGe

Opposing currents alter playing field for US oil production
Bill Arnold, professor in the practice of management at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, authored this article.The Hillhttp://bit.ly/2yafXvJ

HOUSTON/TEXAS

In bidding for Amazon, Houston leaders see catalyst for growth — win or lose
Houston’s bid for Amazon’s second headquarters has challenged local leaders, planners and developers to present the city’s staid industrial economy as a natural fit for a technology giant seeking to invest billions of dollars in a cutting-edge corporate campus. Rice’s partnership with IBM to develop robots is mentioned. Ed Egan, fellow and director of the Baker Institute for Public Policy’s McNair Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, is quoted.Houston Chronicle (This article appeared on the Front Page of the Oct. 8 edition of the Chronicle and on HoustonNewsInfo.com.) http://bit.ly/2yzRFg6

Flood warning idea died 22 years ago
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1995 examined a series of proposals to reduce flood risks around the Addicks and Barker dams, including a flood warning system and evacuation plan to protect lives and homes, but dropped the ideas after deciding there were “insufficient economic benefits” to further investigate. Jim Blackburn, a professor in the practice of environmental law and the co-director of Rice’s Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center, is quoted.Houston Chronicle (This article appeared on the front page of the Oct. 7 print edition with a different headline: “Flood warning idea died 22 years ago.”)http://bit.ly/2xu0284A top 10 list for local Hurricane Harvey recovery
An editorial about how Houston should recover from Tropical Storm Harvey mentions Blackburn.http://bit.ly/2y8VYOE

Rig count falls as oil prices stagnate
Kenneth Medlock, the James A. Baker III and Susan Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics and lecturer of economics, is quoted in a photo caption.Houston Chroniclehttp://bit.ly/2hXoA7r

A 101 of Trump’s tax reform and its implications for taxpayers
John Diamond, the Edward A. and Hermena Hancock Kelly Fellow in Public Finance at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and an adjunct professor of economics, writes about the Trump administration’s proposed framework for tax reform.Houston Public Mediahttp://bit.ly/2i1MIG8

20 Under 40 Rising Stars in Real Estate Awards
Erin Mckie, who took a training program at Rice, is named among the winners of Houston Association of Realtors’ annual Young Professionals Network 20 Under 40 Rising Stars in Real Estate Awards.Houston Chroniclehttp://bit.ly/2wHoq6H

BROADCAST

Texas Matters: Post Hurricane Harvey and a future of super storms
Jim Blackburn, a professor in the practice of environmental law and the co-director of Rice’s Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center, discusses climate change, future storms and his new book, “A Texan Plan for the Texas Coast.”Texas Public Radiohttp://bit.ly/2yMDXTk

State lawmakers aim to help schools damaged by Harvey
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor of political science, fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted.Houston Public Media (This also aired on KUT-FM.)http://bit.ly/2fSATh8Analysis: How do they cheat thee? Count the waysEagle Pass Business Journal (This article appeared in seven other publications.)http://bit.ly/2fW8EhoAbbott courts Hispanic support at San Antonio conferenceHouston Chronicle (This article appeared in the San Antonio Express-News and four other publications.)http://bit.ly/2ybjY3oDemocrats have no challenger to go against AbbottJacksonville Progress (This article appeared in six other publications.) http://bit.ly/2xthJoq

KPRC-TV
Katharine Neill Harris, the Alfred C. Glassell III Fellow in Drug Policy, discusses a blog she published about curbing opioid overdoses.http://bit.ly/2yAFXlo(Click on the video button to watch the broadcast.)

‘Latina Voices’
Research by Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is discussed.KHOU-TVhttp://bit.ly/2ybXShh(Click on the video button to watch the broadcast.)

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Asphalt key to faster-charging lithium batteries
A touch of asphalt may be the secret to high-capacity lithium metal batteries that charge 10 to 20 times faster than commercial lithium-ion batteries, according to Rice University scientists. The lab of chemist James Tour developed anodes comprising porous carbon made from asphalt that showed exceptional stability after more than 500 charge-discharge cycles. Tour is the T.T. and W.F. Chao Chair in Chemistry and a professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering.Financial Tribune (A similar articles appeared in Environmental Guru, Ars Technica, IT World Canada and RtoZ.com.)http://bit.ly/2fVIvzf

5 ways the Internet of things is revolutionizing health care
Collaboration between IBM and Rice University on the Multi-Purpose Eldercare Robot Assistant is mentioned.Gadgets Nowhttp://bit.ly/2gnCWKL

Researchers use light-sensitive molecules to track proteins critical to cell signaling
The ability to track the movements of single molecules has revealed how proteins on the surface of nerve cells control gates that turn chemical signals into electrical signals. The finding is a step forward in detailing mechanisms involved in neurological disease, according to researchers at Rice University and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Christy Landes, professor of chemistry and of electrical and computer engineering, is quoted.Phys.comhttp://bit.ly/2hZETAxNerve cells’ gatekeepers take many formsHealth News Digesthttp://bit.ly/2fWSHYw

Know your cement, get greener concrete
An international team of scientists led by EPFL Lausanne, ETH Zurich and Rice University has created a database of molecular dynamics models that simulate the properties of cement in all its varieties. Rouzbeh Shahsavari, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering and of materials science and nanoengineering, is mentioned.Phys.orghttp://bit.ly/2xtkS7zDatabase simulates the properties of cement in all varietiesElectronic Specifierhttp://bit.ly/2gpqGJvKRLD-AMhttp://bit.ly/2xuwwUq

Researchers map human genome in 4-D as it folds
Erez Lieberman Aiden, adjunct assistant professor in computational and applied mathematics and in computer science, is quoted.Gears of Bizhttp://bit.ly/2wJ84Kz

Brain wiring affects how people perform specific tasks
The way a person’s brain is “wired” directly impacts how well they perform simple and complex tasks, according to a new study from researchers at Rice University. Simon Fischer-Baum, assistant professor of psychology, is quoted. Randi Martin, the Elma Schneider Professor of Psychology, and Michael Deem, the John W. Cox Professor of Biochemical and Genetic Engineering and a professor of physics and astronomy, are mentioned.Gears of Biz (This also appeared in Xinhua, Psy Post, MedIndia and Technology Networks.)http://bit.ly/2hYMeR5Brain modularity affects how we perform specific tasksReliawirehttp://bit.ly/2g5W2Ir

New test opens path for better 2-D catalysts
Rice researchers have taken a deep look into atom-thick catalysts that produce hydrogen to see precisely where it’s coming from. Their findings could accelerate the development of 2-D materials for energy applications, such as fuel cells. Jun Lou, professor of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted. Rice postdoctoral researcher Jing Zhang is mentioned.Chem Europehttp://bit.ly/2yazMDwInnovative test improves 2-D catalystsControlled Environments Magazinehttp://bit.ly/2y583EF

Innovative technique for building multifunctional nanoscale structures
Individual nanoscale nuggets of gold, copper, aluminum, silver and other metals that capture light’s energy and put it to work are being employed by Rice University scientists who have discovered a way to build multifunctional nanoscale structures. Graduate student Dayne Swearer is quoted. Mentioned are Emilie Ringe, assistant professor of materials science and nanoengineering and of chemistry, and Naomi Halas, the Stanley C. Moore Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, a professor of chemistry, of bioengineering, of physics and astronomy and of materials science and nanoengineering and director of the Laboratory for Nanophotonics and of the Smalley-Curl Institute.AZO Nanohttp://bit.ly/2wI08ta

Advanced electrode and catalyst could lead to better batteries
Researchers have developed two promising energy storage technologies as part of work with sustainable energy systems. Graduate student Yilun Li is mentioned.Materials Todayhttp://bit.ly/2yAd6hb

The future of the profession
Global forces and technological trends are reshaping the accountancy profession across India, China, Europe and the rest of the world. New ways of doing business, shaped by technology and shifting regulatory environments, mean accountants in business and practice are facing tough challenges and exciting opportunities. While some of these are not new, the scale of the change and speed of transformation is without precedent. Moshe Vardi, director of Rice’s Ken Kennedy Institute for Information Technology, the Karen Ostrum George Distinguished Service Professor of Computational Engineering and professor of computer science, is quoted.Economicahttp://bit.ly/2wJhKoq

Can unethical customer behavior benefit others?
Not all unethical customer behavior is equal. An interesting question then arises of how to distinguish between different types of unethical customer behavior, consider its consequences, and responses to it if you are a manager. Utpal Dholakia, the George R. Brown Professor of Marketing at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business and a marketing and consumer behavior expert, authored this article.Psychology Todayhttp://bit.ly/2ybo9w8

Breaking the rules: Heavy chemical elements alter theory of quantum mechanics
Researchers found that the theory of quantum mechanics does not adequately explain how the heaviest and rarest elements found at the end of the table function. The article mentions that Rice contributed to the research.Science Magazinehttp://bit.ly/2hZtErO

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

What’s it like to hop in the van with Dennis Hopper, man?
Actor Dennis Hopper’s visit to Rice University in 1983 for a film screening is discussed.Tallahassee Democrathttp://on.tdo.com/2ySS7lT

Pope John’s Caroline Morris named National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalist; 5 other students are Commended Students
An article mentions that Rice is a potential top choice for high school senior.New Jersey Heraldhttp://bit.ly/2ySw52M

The sage and family man
John Boles’ book, “Jefferson: Architect of American Liberty,” is discussed. Boles is the William Pettus Hobby Professor of History.Digital Insiderhttp://bit.ly/2xu0OSB

Deepak Srivastava appointed president of Gladstone Institutes
Alumnus Deepak Srivastava ’86 has been named president of Gladstone Institutes.WandTV.comhttp://bit.ly/2hYD1b8

Trump praises Puerto Rico’s low storm death toll, which later climbed from 16 to 34
Rice Professor of History Douglas Brinkley discusses comments made by President Donald Trump in Puerto Rico.True Viral Newshttp://bit.ly/2fXhbkf

The Mars project
President John F. Kennedy’s “Moon Speech,” given at Rice Sept. 12, 1962, is referenced.Business 2 Communityhttp://bit.ly/2xtn0Be

Army seeking 1st road win, travels to Rice
Rice head football coach David Bailiff is quoted in a preview of the Owls’ Oct. 7 game against Army at Rice Stadium.Houston Chronicle (This Associated Press article also appeared in more than 50 other media outlets.)http://bit.ly/2wDweGjBlack and Blue: Army Black Knights at Rice Owls previewUnderdog Dynastyhttp://bit.ly/2wHTUts

Family bragging rights on the line for Rice’s Calvin Anderson as Owls take on Army
Left tackle Calvin Anderson is featured.Houston Chroniclehttp://bit.ly/2yawCQm

How the 0-4 Chargers in 1992 turned it around under coach Bobby Ross and made the playoffs
Former Rice football player Courtney Hall is quoted in a story about former San Diego Chargers head coach Bobby Ross’ memories of the 1992 team.Los Angeles Times (This article also appeared in the San Diego Union-Tribune.)http://lat.ms/2yNxYNW

Rockets’ James Harden sitting behind home plate at Game 2
A slideshow includes photos of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Rockets players James Harden, Chris Paul and Clint Capela from an Aug. 20 charity basketball game at Tudor Fieldhouse.Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)http://bit.ly/2y50hdzhttp://bit.ly/2xmaJON

Chambers, Johnson, Kelly top Examiner alumni
A story about former high school volleyball standouts mentions the University of Southern Mississippi’s Nov. 5 match against Rice.Houston Chroniclehttp://bit.ly/2xo7e5u

Texas A&M women set battle with Longhorns for Nov. 3
A story about the Texas A&M University women’s swim team mentions its Dec. 2 matchup with Rice.Swim Swamhttp://bit.ly/2z4sb7x

Rice Owls pull in a pair of verbals from Shannon Jelley and Marta Cano
An article mentions high school students who have verbally committed to Rice.Swim Swam (A similar article ran in Swimming World.) http://bit.ly/2g5NAc1

Nerve cells’ gatekeepers take many forms
Rice and UTHealth scientists track the conformations of proteins that stand guard at transmembrane channels in the walls of nerve cells. The research could lead to refined drugs to treat neurological conditions.http://bit.ly/2hYnIza

Mexico’s presidential elections are topic at Rice’s Baker Institute Oct. 10
Mexican election experts aligned with the main political parties will gather at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy Oct. 10 to share their insights on the country’s 2018 presidential campaign, the parties’ platforms on the major public policy issues and the future of U.S.-Mexico relations.http://bit.ly/2y7kP3b

Database clarifies bottom-up design of cement
An international team of researchers has created a database tool for the design of cement, a component of concrete, the most-used construction material in the world and a significant source of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The database contains validated atomistic models for molecular modeling that could help fine-tune cement and curtail emissions.http://bit.ly/2g6krgI

About Arie Passwaters

Arie Wilson Passwaters is a Web editor in Rice University's Office of Public Affairs.

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